Tenor on England

AN OPERA singer is bringing his lucky voice to the England football team's first competitive international at the new Wembley Every time Martin Toal, 43, from Sale, has sung the national anthem at a qualifying match England have won.

AN OPERA singer is bringing his lucky voice to the England football team's first competitive international at the new Wembley

Every time Martin Toal, 43, from Sale, has sung the national anthem at a qualifying match England have won.

And this Saturday they need to beat Israel to win automatic qualification for next year's Euro finals.

Martin said: "I might not be able to score the winning goal but I hope I can do my bit on the pitch by delivering a rousing national anthem to inspire the players and fans.

"I have sung the anthems at four previous England football internationals - at two Euro 2004 and two 2006 World cup qualifiers - and on all four occasions not only did England win but the team also never conceded a goal.

"England has performed twice at the new Wembley this year but both these matches were friendlies - one against Germany when they got beaten and the other against Brazil which they drew.

"This will be their first competitive international at the ground."

With 90,000 fans in the stadium and millions more watching around the world, it will be the biggest sporting event at which the former languages teacher has ever performed.

Father-of-two Martin resigned as head of modern languages at St Ambrose College, Altrincham, three years ago to pursue his opera star dream.

He was inspired to start singing by the performance of the Three Tenors - Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and the late Luciano Pavarotti - at the 1990 Italy Fifa World Cup Final.

His career took off in 2004 when he was asked to sing at a private party staged by the FA.

Martin said: "When the FA approached me to perform at this game, they asked whether I would mind performing the Israeli national anthem as well.

"But their team will be bringing their own singer, which means I can give my undivided attention to inspiring the England squad."